The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-12
A HUMANE EMPLOYER.
How New York business Man Reforms
BrOken-Down Merchants.

I
| How a New York business Man Reforms
| Broken Down Merchants.
Business men Of enterprise frequent
ly have novel ideas, but probably the
'smost curious mode of conducting trade
THAT has come to light even in this city
\ of odd freaks. is that adopted by
wholesale dealer in notions and dry
goods throughout the country, and his
store is probably one of the largest of
this kind; but, as his secret was con-
fided to me under promise not to reveal
his identity, l feel bound to withhold
it, at the same time vouching for the
correctness of the story.
My friend became acquainted with
this merchants peculiar idea through
a business intercourse. A week ago
he entered the store, intending to pur-
chase some dry goods that had been
advertised very cheap. As he stepped
over the threshold he was accosted by
a clerk, who at once attracted his at
tention. He was man past middle
age, with a shabbv-genteel air that was
very striking. His face was rather
bloated his eyes blinked and were red,
his hand trembled, and his breath
was redolent of strong drink. My
friend was amazed. AID looked around
to are if some salesman of more pre-
sent himself. To his intense sur
prise, of the half dozen clerks in
sight all had the same air of dilapi-
dated gentility. Before he could col
lect his senses the man beside him had
began to inquire as to the particular
style of goods he desired to see. His
voice, although harsh and discordant,
had some pleasing and attractive quail
tiles, and it was evident that his under
standing of the business was thorough.
A few days later he met person
who was thoroughly acquainted with
the proprietor of the dry-goods store,
from whom he learned the secret of the
salesman's appearance. 1t seems that
the merchant conceived the idea of en-
ploying rs statesmen as many broken
down merchants in his line of business
rs he could find. He discovered that
most of the ex-employers who had
failed, and whom he could expect to
secure at such salaries as he was willing
to pay were men whose downfall was
mainly due to intemperance.
He discharged all the sober clerks
and employed new batch of broken
down merchants. Then he gathered
them all together and told them the
conditions under which they would
have to work. He first reminded them
Of their failing and told them that they
would have to curb it.
Now, gentlemen" he is alleged to
have said sit is not to be presumed
that, inasmuch as YOU could not keep
sober when your own business interests
were involved, you will be able under
ordinary circumstances to stop drink
ing because | want you to do so. Even
if you don't get drunk during business
hours your bats at night will probably
incapacitate you for work the next day.
The only way to prevent that is to keep
you from temptation even when you are
not actually at work That will be for
your interest as we'll as for mine. What
/ am going odo is this: I am going to
fix up rooms for you on the top floor.
where you can stay at night and sleep.
l will have your meals sent from res
taurant near by and you will be well
fed at my expense. You must not
leave this establishment, except with
my permission, but l will see that you
get plenty of fresh air and outdoor ex-
ercise. / will pay you well and will
expect you 60 do your utmost to sell my
goods just as though you were your
selves the proprietors. At any time
you want to quit, of course you need
only say so. In order to satisfy your
cravings for drink, you will receive
regular rations of whisky every day
By gradually diminishing the quantity,
the grip it has upon you will be loos-
ened. You can save money and with
perseverance you will be able to give
up your bad habits and once more be-
| come respectable members OF society.
Nearly all acceded to the conditions.
Some have dropped out since by break
ing the rules, for the proprietor is very
strict, but most of them have observed
them faithfully. A few have been able
to overcome their passion and have
started in business for themselves
again. AS they drop out their places
are filled by new men. AS far as the
proprietor is concerned. he is said 60
have found 1t a profitable plan.-M r
| Letter.
-"What do you sell that ribbon for?''
asked young lady in dry goods
store. Eight dollars a week-oh, beg
pardon-ffty cents yard, miss. y
Washington Critic
| A haze ball umpire has bouoht